"Black Jack Pershing: Love and War" WWI documentary screening at National Archives May 24

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

The new World War I documentary film "Black Jack Pershing: Love and War" will have a free screening at the National Archives in Washington, DC on May 24.

Incorporating hundreds of U.S. Army Signal Corps photographs and films from the National Archives, Black Jack Pershing: Love and War (2017; 60 minutes) examines the life of Gen. John J. Pershing.

The screening will be introduced by producer Bernard R. McCoy. The screening is presented in partnership with the United States WWI Centennial Commission

Pershing, our nation’s highest-ranking officer, commanded 2 million U.S. troops that helped win World War I. Behind his iron exterior stood a man who also endured great personal tragedy and heartbreak.

This award-winning documentary “Black Jack Pershing: Love and War,” tells the story of World War I General John J. Pershing’s life and the personal tragedy so painful Pershing could never speak of it.

When America entered WWI in April of 1917 its military was hardly prepared for war. There were roughly 220,000 U.S. soldiers and officers. America’s troops initially lacked the training needed to effectively fight a veteran German army that used modern warfare tactics.

Germany’s high-powered artillery, poison gas, machine guns, fortified defensive positions and fighter planes exacted a heavy toll on U.S. troops. The Americans fought German troops with French, British, Canadian, Australian and other allied forces in deadly combat along 400 miles that comprised the Western Front.

General John J. Pershing was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to command the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. His nickname was “Black Jack.”

Commanding U.S. troops against overwhelming odds would be the greatest challenge of Pershing’s military career. Twenty months after America joined the fight, Pershing and two million troops helped turn the battle tide. Germany was forced to surrender on November 11, 1918.

"Black Jack Pershing: Love and War – is an important, dynamic, entertaining documentary featuring a man and his life which was pivotal to America’s successful campaigns during World War 1. The story and history as developed by Barney McCoy adds to our understanding of American history accurately and poignantly, and exemplifies the power of film making."  --Ron Hull, Nebraska Public Broadcasting

Read more about "Black Jack Pershing: Love and War on the documentary's web site here:

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